They might have talked, but Dynamo not only had a point guard they like in Hollis Price, but they didn't have the money to make a big splash after signing forward Bostjan Nachbar.

At that point, agent Aaron Goodwin tried a different option. He criticized the negotiating tactics of the Cavs and said they were low-balling his client.

"They said, 'Take the deal we've offered or we'll go an alternate route,'" Goodwin said. "They won't negotiate fairly."

They talked to 76ers guard Louis Williams, another restricted free agent. After news broke of their interest, Williams agreed to a five-year, $27 million deal with the Sixers.

Goodwin said the Cavs have offered West slightly more than they signed Daniel Gibson for (five years, $21 million). A league source said Boston and Miami have approached the Cavs regarding sign-and-trades for West, but they were turned down by the Cavs.

"To quote another team, 'Why should we negotiate for the Cavs?'" Goodwin said. "'If we make an offer, all they'll do is match.'"

A source said West wants a five-year contract. The Cavs have offered several options, including a four-year deal with the final year a team option.

One source doesn't think West should get the full mid-level exception ($5.6 million) in the first year of a possible deal. But the source said he thinks West should be in that range and average $5 million over the course of the deal.

Reportedly, the Cavs are not in that ballpark.

If things break down, Goodwin said his client will play for the qualifying offer of $2.7 million and become an unrestricted free agent after the 2008-09 season.